WELSH secretary Peter Hain yesterday dismissed as "nonsense" claims he placed barriers on the road to full law-making powers for the Assembly.

Government proposals insist on a two-thirds Assembly majority to trigger the referendum required for the step-change.

In a keynote speech to a Cardiff conference on devolution, Mr Hain said: "Pretty well everyone understands why a referendum is needed.

"And there is no point in going for a referendum if the answer is likely to be no.

"A two-thirds majority vote in the Assembly will demonstrate that."

Mr Hain believed the White Paper reflected the centre of gravity of opinion in Wales.

"There are a whole host of conflicting views on devolution in Wales and my job has been to achieve a consensus on how we proceed," he said.. "That's serious government, not posing or posturing."

Mr Hain's proposals came under opposition fire and the two-third majority ruling was branded "undemocratic".

It was also claimed the plan fell short of the Richard Commission route to full law-making powers for Wales by 2011.

But Mr Hain said: "We have already adopted the innovative approach recommended by the Richard Commission in drafting Parliamentary Bills to give the Assembly wider and more permissive powers to determine the detail of how provisions should be implemented in Wales."

The Assembly was handed wider powers to introduce smoke-free enclosed public places.

Now instead of Wales fighting for space in future Queen's Speeches for Westminster Bills, a "simpler, more streamlined legislative process" would enable the Assembly to implement a new policy or modify an existing law.

"Orders in Council would give the Assembly new powers to make legislation, in specified areas of policy, to modify the provisions of

Acts of Parliament as they affect Wales, or to make new provision.

"The Richard Commission envisaged greater powers for the Assembly from 2011. But through the White Paper proposals we will grant the Assembly enhanced powers delivered under a streamlined process much earlier - by May 2007.."

First minister Rhodri Morgan yesterday told AMs scrutinising the White Paper that the changes were "not about status - it's about delivering services".

He dismissed fears that a Westminster secretary of state could refuse to take forward bids from the Assembly for powers to act, especially if London and Cardiff happened to be governed by different political parties.

"Is it worth the row with the Assembly to say we are rejecting this and are not going to transfer the powers to you?"

Plaid Cymru AM Jocelyn Davies said that she would argue for the powers "just for the sake of it".

"Some people say this equates to primary powers without a Bill that says so - a virtual parliament in all but name."

She suggested that there was a danger of "overselling the White Paper". Peter Hain denies he's halting new powers